_d.png "Independence Day 2025")
Shyam Benegal's Manthan was India's first crowdfunded film, made with '2 contributions from half a million farmers. In a masterclass today, he tells you how he did it
Smita Patil in Manthan
Shyam Benegal
Dr Kurien, a practical man above all else, asked him at the time, "How will you get the money to make it?" To which, Benegal replied, "We'll go with a begging bowl to all the farmers and say, 'This is your story. You give us '2 each.' They already had a system in which they would collect milk from farmers, morning and evening, 365 days of the year. There was a communication system already set up. So, it became easy for Dr Kurien to send a message: 'Every day we will give you '2 less. Because we want to tell the story — your story — on film.' That's how it was financed."
The title card of Manthan reads: '500,000 farmers of Gujarat present.' "Because it's their film. When the film was released, they and their families, which included a few million people, went to see the film. In Gujarat, the film not only covered its costs but made a profit within the first two weeks. And the profit went back to the farmers. So, it's a very interesting story."
What: The Story of Manthan: A Masterclass with Shyam Benegal
Where: The Habitat, 1st Floor, Hotel Unicontinental, 3rd Rd, Khar West
When: January 6, 3.30 PM
Entry: Rs 300
To book: www.insider.in
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